HAZLETON — A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Father Thomas A. Cappelloni on Friday, Aug. 4, in the Church of Saint Gabriel at Annunciation Parish in Hazleton. Retired from active ministry for the past 11 years, Father Cappelloni died July 29 at his home in Hazleton.

Born in Scranton on Nov. 13, 1950, son of the late Frank and Ann Butler Cappelloni, Father Cappelloni was a graduate of South Scranton Central Catholic High School and began his preparatory studies for the priesthood at Saint Pius X Seminary, Dalton. He completed theological training and formation at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., where he earned a master’s degree in systematic theology.

Father Cappelloni was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Scranton on May 1, 1976, in the Cathedral of Saint Peter by the late Most Rev. J. Carroll McCormick, sixth Bishop of Scranton. Following ordination, he received his summer assignment as assistant pastor of Saint Basil Parish, Dushore, after which he was appointed assistant pastor of Saint Lucy Parish in West Scranton.

In August 1978, Father Cappelloni was named assistant pastor at Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Honesdale, where he served until being assigned in the same capacity at Saint Aloysius Parish, Wilkes-Barre, in June 1982.

During his first pastorate, beginning in 1987 at Saint Martin of Tours Parish in Jackson where he served for 14 years, Father Cappelloni spearheaded the expansion of the parish church, with the worship site doubling in size, and supervised the construction of a new catechetical center.

Shortly after being named pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Scranton, in July 2001, he was assigned as administrator of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Hazleton, where he was named as pastor in July 2002.

While fulfilling his duties for nearly ten years at the Hazleton parish, Father Cappelloni was appointed director of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in nearby Harleigh. He retired from pastoral ministry in April 2012 due to reasons of health.

In addition to his parochial duties, Father Cappelloni served the Scranton Diocese as Dean of Susquehanna County from January 1992 to December 2000; as a catechist at Bishop Hannan High School, Scranton, and Honesdale Catholic School; and Advocate for the Diocesan Tribunal Office. He later served as chaplain of the Hazleton City Police Department.

Well known for his love of the culinary arts and cooking skills, Father Cappelloni was also an accomplished musician and organist. He will also be remembered for helping to establish a charitable trust fund for stray animals.

Surviving are an older brother, Francis (Frank) Cappelloni, and younger sister, Mary Ann Cappelloni Folk; numerous nieces and nephews, including Mara (Joseph) Cappelloni Lopez and their children, Alexa and Jackson; Corey Cappelloni and daughter, Emma; Brant (Nikki) Cappelloni and children, Gabriella, Christopher and Paul; Kristen (Patrick) Conaway and children, Reagan and Abigale; Lauren (Adam) Ercolini and daughter, Emilia; and Christopher Folk.

Interment was held in Nuremberg Cemetery in Schuylkill County.

HUNLOCK CREEK – As he celebrated a special Mass to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish on July 22, 2023, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, offered prayers of both gratitude and hope.
“Gratitude for all that has been and hope for all that will be through the grace and the goodness of God,” Bishop Bambera said.

During his homily, the bishop stressed how members of the parish have been instrumental in treasuring life, feeding hungry families and bringing people to the Lord since the parish’s founding last century.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, celebrates Mass for the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Hunlock Creek on July 22, 2023. (Photo/Ed Koons)

“You have been the hands and the voice and the heart of Christ,” he said. “You’ve done the work of God and you continue to do it in simple, yet profound ways, and I say to you on behalf of the church and all who have received from your goodness and your generous spirits, thank you!”

Following Mass, parishioners gathered for food and fellowship in the parish’s picnic pavilion.

“Today was just a beautiful day. We knew the celebration was coming. We’ve spent many years in this parish. Our daughter was baptized here and married here and we’re so blessed that we now have a granddaughter. She is seven weeks old,” parishioner Kathleen Scavone said. “Today, her and her mom and dad actually brought up the gifts as being the youngest new parishioner – along with the oldest parish member – so that was really a nice blessing for our family.”

Paul Scavone said members of his family have been a part of the parish for at least 75 years.

“My mom and dad came to this parish as a young married couple. My brothers and sisters were baptized here … now it continues with our granddaughter being here. It’s nice to be a part of the tradition here.”

Kathleen Finarelli says it is a joy to attend Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and hopes many others will join them.

“It is a wonderful parish. The parishioners are so friendly. We wish to be able to do this again and keep it going for another 100 years,” she said.

As the parish family works to spread the Good News of Jesus, Katheryn Bobb was thankful that Bishop Bambera took time from his busy schedule to celebrate their important milestone.

“To have the Bishop come to our little church out in Hunlock Creek is absolutely amazing,” Bobb explained.

Rev. Brian Van Fossen, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, said Bishop Bambera’s visit and homily shows parishioners they are part of a larger Catholic community.

“We have this beautiful community and we welcome so many people for our festival and other opportunities to celebrate God’s love in the midst of God’s creation. As we do so with Bishop Bambera here, it just unites us to the larger diocesan community that we love to be a part of,” Father Van Fossen said.

The parish pastor said the centennial celebration would not be confined to just one day; it will be celebrated over the course of the entire year.

“We have two themes going on. Our first theme is a spiritual theme which is echoing Mary’s Magnificat for the last 100 years and the other one is ‘100 years and still going,’” Father Van Fossen added. “We are looking forward to echoing Mary’s Magnificat – her ‘yes,’ her fiat to God – but also to share that fiat with others!”

SCRANTON – Recent renovations to Saint Anthony’s Haven, Scranton’s only year-round emergency shelter for both men and women, will not only improve the comfort of guests but will allow the facility to continue serving people with disabilities.

The facility, at 409 Olive St., recently created a new handicap entrance/exit, renovated both the men’s and women’s restrooms and the common areas and installed new cabinets and flooring in the shelter’s kitchen area. In the next phase of the project, which will be partially supported by American Rescue Plan Act grant funding from Lackawanna County, the building’s roof will be replaced.

A $30,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation supported recent renovations at Saint Anthony’s Haven, Scranton’s only year-round emergency shelter for both men and women. Pictured at the check presentation are, from left: Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants & Scholarship Manager, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Frank Caputo, Grants & Communications Coordinator, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Sandra Snyder, Diocesan Director of Foundation Relations and Special Events; and Laura Ducceschi, President/CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation, Administrator of Robert H. Spitz Foundation.

The most recent work was completed with the help of the city of Scranton, local charitable foundations, including The Moses Taylor Foundation and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, and a national funder, The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

Harry Lyons, program supervisor of Saint Anthony’s Haven, said the new handicap entrance was a critical need after a sale of half the building that resulted in renovations by the new owner removed access to a previous point of entry.

“It was really important for us to establish this new handicap entrance so we can serve everybody. We have a number of people who use walkers and wheelchairs,” Lyons explained. “I recently got a call from the VA about a gentleman with no legs who uses a motorized wheelchair, so having this project finished will now ensure we have the ability to accommodate him.”

Saint Anthony’s Haven can safely accommodate 20 men and six women each night.

In addition to overnight shelter, the facility provides two meals per day, shower and laundry facilities and supportive services.

The number of individuals experiencing homelessness who rely on Saint Anthony’s Haven has returned to levels previously experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Saint Anthony’s Haven provided 4,371 individual nights of shelter to clients. In 2021, the number rose to 5,658, and in 2022 6,410 individual nights of shelter were provided.

“The Robert H. Spitz Foundation is focused on supporting programs that aim to break the cycle of poverty,” said Laura Ducceschi, president of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which administers the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. “Supporting the renovation work at Saint Anthony’s Haven will help to better serve those populations in need of the facility’s services, and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation is proud to be able to help the community in this way.”

Robert H. Spitz Foundation funding also was used to replace the Olive Street entrance roof and help remove nine deteriorated and dangerous balconies from Saint James Manor, the building that houses Saint Anthony’s Haven.

The mission of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton, which operates Saint Anthony’s Haven, is to serve individuals and families in poverty and advocate for dignity and self-sufficiency.

“We don’t want anyone left out in the street or left out in the cold,” Lyons added.

“We’re incredibly thankful for the grant funding we have received for this project,” Lyons stated. “Without the support of the community we would not be able to continue serving our brothers and sisters in the way that we do.”

ACCRA, Ghana – The Catholic-Pentecostal International Dialogue held its third meeting of the seventh phase of dialogue in Millennium City (near Kasoa), Ghana, at the Pentecost Convention Centre of the Church of Pentecost between July 13-18, 2023.

Since its initiation in 1972, this was the first time that the dialogue took place in the Global South, allowing the participants to experience the vivacity of the local Christian Catholic and Pentecostal communities.

Members of the Catholic-Pentecostal International Dialogue met in Accra, Ghana, during the week of July 13-18, 2023. The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, serves as the Catholic co-chair of the Dialogue.

Participants in the Dialogue include Catholics appointed by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU), and Pentecostals appointed by some Classical Pentecostal churches affiliated with the Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF).

The general theme of the current phase, which started in 2018, is “Lex orandi, lex credendi” (“the law of prayer is the law of faith”).

After reflecting on the general topic and discussing “Kerygma/Preaching and Christian Life” (2022), the third session was dedicated to “Worship/Prayer and Christian Life.”

The goal of the Dialogue is to promote mutual respect and understanding in matters of faith and practice. Genuine exchange and frank discussion concerning the positions and practices of the two traditions have been the guiding principles of this bilateral theological dialogue.

Meeting for the first time in Africa, the Dialogue benefitted from local contacts, exchanges and visits.

On Friday, July 14, the Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast, the Most Reverend Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle met, prayed and had a vibrant exchange with the participants.

On Sunday, July 16, the Dialogue attended a church service at the Pentecost International Worship Centre Atomic-Accra. The members of the Dialogue were hosted by local pastor, Rev. Anthony Mensah and welcomed by the General Secretary of the Church of Pentecost, Rev. Alexander Kumi-Larbi.

The participants had a deeply meaningful guided tour to Elmina Castle, July 17, with its testimony to the Atlantic slave trade, which provided an opportunity to learn about a very painful chapter of human history in which Christians were complicit.

Participants acknowledge with gratitude the cordial and fraternal assistance provided by many members of the Church of Pentecost, chaired by Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, which hosted us in Ghana.

During the third session, Catholics presented a paper entitled, “Catholic Worship, Prayers and Liturgy,” prepared by Rev. Dr. Paschal C. Mbagwu.

The Pentecostal paper, entitled, “Worship and Prayer: A Pentecostal Perspective,” was prepared by Rev. Prof. Jacqueline N. Grey.

Morning and evening prayers each day were led alternately by Catholics and Pentecostals.

Co-chairs of the Dialogue are the Most Reverend Joseph Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, and Rev. Prof. Cecil M. Robeck, Jr. Professor of Church History and Ecumenics, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California. They were assisted by Rev. David Wells, Chair of the PWF Christian Unity Commission, as well as by Rev. David Cole, Liaison to the Greater Christian Community for the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, and by Msgr. Juan Usma Gómez, DPCU, who served as co-secretaries.

According to Bishop Bambera, “Pope Francis’ message for the 50th anniversary of the Dialogue (Rome 2022), has resonated throughout this week: ‘One thing is certain. Unity is not chiefly the result of our activity, but a gift of the Holy Spirit. Yet, unity will not come about as a miracle at the very end. Rather, unity comes about in the journeying.’ The Dialogue’s meeting in Ghana, recognizing the global nature of the work of Christian unity and highlighting the depth of Christian faith of the African continent, has been a powerful reminder to us all of the challenges and blessings of the work before us. The path of unity, as Pope Francis reminds us, is not the path of proselytism or uniformity. It lies in journeying together. The path of unity most clearly emerges when each of us continues to grow in our mutual respect for one another, as is so evidenced in our Catholic-Pentecostal International Dialogue.”
Prof. Robeck noted, “By bringing the dialogue to Accra, Ghana this year, we have taken it to the global South, where the majority of Christians now live. This move enabled the delegates to participate in a vital Pentecostal worship service together among these growing churches. It also enabled us to hear something of the slave trade that ravaged the African continent. In the midst of all these things, the Church of Pentecost Convention Centre offered gracious hospitality on its beautiful campus in Millennium City. Rev. Opoku Onyinah, immediate past Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, continues to be an active member of our dialogue.”

The last meeting of the Dialogue was in July 2022 in Rome, for its 50th anniversary.

SCRANTON – Born and raised just one street over from the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Ann, Kathy Dennebaum feels a deep connection to the annual Solemn Novena. She makes it a priority to attend services each year.

“I’ve had three major intentions that I’ve brought to the Novena and all three of them came to fruition so I’m a firm believer,” she explained.

Crowds gather on the lawn of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Ann on July 26, 2023.

An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people attended Novena services each day this year.
“This has been a very sacred place since I was a little kid. My grandmother and grandfather had nine children that came here and were all members of this parish until they died,” Dennebaum added. “I just like to come and listen to the priests when they speak. A lot of times it’s very meaningful.”

The West Scranton native, who has been married to her husband Mark for 45 years, now bring their own grandson to experience the peace that comes from the prayerful place.

“I think it goes back to the fact that we grew up here and we’d like to have him be part of what we were part of when we were young,” Mark Dennebaum said.

This year marked the 99th year for the annual Novena that began July 17, 2023. The Novena concluded July 26, the Feast of Saint Ann.

“We never miss it, my whole family of eight sisters and brothers,” Patricia DeNapoli, a parishioner of Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish in Dunmore, said. “No matter what I ask, somehow, someway, it gets answered. You have to believe. If you don’t have faith there is nothing else!”

Very Rev. Richard W. Burke, C.P., rector of Saint Ann’s Shrine Basilica, said the annual Novena remains popular because Saint Ann is such a powerful intercessor.

“Every week we get letters and calls and have conversations with people who had their prayers answered one way or another through the intercession of Saint Ann,” Father Richard said.

With the centennial anniversary of the Solemn Novena quickly approaching, Father Richard believes its importance and relevance is just as important as when it started in 1924.

“Just think about all the major issues that we have to pray about. We can influence them through the gift of our prayers that God gives to us, we can influence the events of the world,” Father Richard stated. “The end of the hostility in Ukraine is a prayer that is on everybody’s mind. When they send in their petitions to put at the Altar of Saint Ann, nine out of ten of them have peace in Ukraine on those petitions.”

Jacob and Matthew Metzger, twins who grew up in West Scranton, began attending the Novena at a young age.

“This is the holiest ground I could be on,” Matthew said. “It is the greatest time of the year. It brings us a lot of peace and a lot of happiness to come down here.”

At 20 years old, the twins, who are both pre-med students, now volunteer every year at the food stand at the Solemn Novena to Saint Ann.

“It is such an amazing place to be. Everyone is kind and loving and filled with the Holy Spirit,” Jacob said. “It’s a family environment here. We all love what we do. We all love helping the people and putting a smile on people’s faces every day.”

With the 2023 Novena just having wrapped-up, coordinators say they will not waste any time in getting ready for next year.

“We’re going to get a committee going in August to begin planning what is going to happen next year. We already have some suggestions,” Father Richard hinted. “It will be very special.”

SCRANTON – As he celebrated the closing Mass of the Solemn Novena to Saint Ann, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, told a personal story which he said emphasized the power and presence of God in his life.

It revolved around an encounter with a man experiencing homelessness on a cold winter night around Christmas. The man – who said he was hungry and needed shelter – approached the bishop as he tried to get inside the Cathedral rectory.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, delivers the homily during the Closing Mass for the Solemn Novena July 26, 2023.

“As I was struggling with what appeared to me to be a set-up, some better angels spoke to my heart. What if he was telling me the truth? How could I turn someone away who was in such need? What would Jesus do?” Bishop Bambera told the crowd. “Maybe that was Jesus – testing me and my resolve to live as his disciple.”

After some internal struggle inside his mind, the bishop provided the man with some money to get something to eat and stay in a local hotel.

“I felt a little bit guilty for wondering about his honesty. But then I took some quiet consolation in trusting that, as best I could, I tried to be a witness to what I believe as a Christian,” Bishop Bambera explained. “Remember those words of Jesus? ‘When I was hungry, you gave me food. But when Lord? As often as you did it to the least of my brothers or sisters, you did it to me!’”

The bishop said every person gathered at the Closing Mass of the Novena has likely had a moment like the one he experienced at his backdoor last winter.

“For me, that exchange became an unexpected moment that was filled with the presence of God. God was teaching me a lesson about all that is possible when we set aside our selfish, self-centered, self-righteous ways, when we seek to forgive, and when we let Jesus guide us forward,” he said. “Every one of us has been and continues to be touched by the presence of God in our lives when we least expect that presence to grasp hold of our hands and hearts. And every one of us can recount a moment in our lives – perhaps even during this treasured Novena – in which we were blessed to encounter the presence of God.”

As he ended the Novena, Bishop Bambera urged the faithful to follow the path that the Lord desires.

“God continues to use unlikely individuals like (Saints) Ann and Joachim, like Joseph and Mary, like me and you, to accomplish his purpose in our world – to give hope – and to proclaim a message of life, salvation, mercy and peace,” he said.

SCRANTON – The annual Mass of the Anointing of the Sick during the Solemn Novena to Saint Ann brought out a large crowd on July 20, 2023, as hundreds chose to experience the healing presence of Jesus in their lives.

“It means everything to me. I love it,” Patricia Williams said.

During the Mass with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, held during the Solemn Novena to Saint Ann on July 20, 2023, Very Rev. Richard W. Burke, rector, Saint Ann’s Monastery, administers the Sacrament.

Williams, a native of Scranton, made a special effort to attend this year’s Mass with her friend.

“I got my friend to come because she just had an operation and I came for my eyes,” she explained. “I might lose my eyesight because of macular degeneration in my family. I mainly came for that.”

During his homily, Very Rev. Richard W. Burke, C.P., rector of Saint Ann’s Shrine Basilica, described two precious moments he had recently celebrating the sacraments. One was with a 92-year-old nun and the other with a person in a coma who later recovered.

“The Sacrament of the Anointing is a very powerful moment of grace for everyone who wants to receive it, anyone who is sick, any of us who are elderly,” Father Richard explained. “It is a wonderful opportunity to look into the eyes of Jesus and discover His love, discover His healing presence and discover His guiding force in the heart of our lives.”

Elaine Jacklinski of Scranton believes attending the Mass of the Anointing of the Sick at last year’s Novena played a part in saving her life.

“Last year, it was very beneficial for me because my heart stopped a few days after the Novena when I was in the hospital and I was brought back and I feel it was because of the anointing Mass that God was with me,” the West Scranton resident explained.

While she admits it isn’t as easy getting to the special Mass because of mobility issues, Jacklinski is thankful she was able to attend.

“This Mass is very special. It’s very beneficial for me,” she said.

SCRANTON – Benita Trently has been attending the Solemn Novena to Saint Ann for years and was thrilled this year’s annual devotion included a Mass in Spanish for the first time.

“There is a big Spanish community so hopefully they will start coming and start participating,” Trently said.

Father Luis Daniel Guivas, C.P., celebrated the first Mass in Spanish at the Solemn Novena to Saint Ann on July 23, 2023.

On Sunday, July 23, 2023, Father Luis Daniel Guivas, C.P., who is originally from Puerto Rico, but currently stationed in Queens, N.Y., celebrated the first Spanish Mass for the Novena at 1:30 p.m.

“The hope is to have this first step so we can promote it so we can have a bigger celebration next year during the whole Novena,” he said.

Jonathan Ramos, who is in formation for the Passionist community, said it is important to welcome people of all backgrounds and languages.

“Having this today is a great opportunity to get to know more people, our neighbors, and have the opportunity to serve them,” Ramos explained.

Very Rev. Richard W. Burke, C.P., rector of Saint Ann’s Shrine Basilica, said he is hopeful that for the Novena’s 100th anniversary next year they will be able to offer daily Masses in Spanish.

“I’m hoping that we’re going to be able to inaugurate a daily celebration in Spanish next year. We have so many members of Hispanic origin who are very devoted and dedicated people and I think it’s very important to make something available to them as part of the Novena,” Father Richard said.

That news is very exciting for Trently, who believes Saint Ann performs many miracles.

“My mother was very sick two months ago and I prayed to her (Saint Ann) to leave her here and she did, so I do believe she fulfills miracles,” Trently said. “My mother is healthy now. She is doing much better!”

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as follows: 

Effective August 14, 2023: 

Reverend Brian J.T. Clarke, to Chaplain, Notre Dame High School, East Stroudsburg.  Father will remain Senior Priest, St. Matthew’s Parish, East Stroudsburg. 

Effective September 1, 2023: 

Reverend John J. Chmil, from Pastor, St. Ann’s Parish, Williamsport, to Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville. 

Reverend Duane J. Gavitt, from Pastor, St. Elizabeth’s Parish, Bear Creek, and St. Rita’s Parish, Gouldsboro, to Pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton and Holy Name Parish, West Hazleton.

Reverend Binesh Joseph Kanjirakattu, from Administrator, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton and Holy Name Parish, West Hazleton, to Parochial Vicar, Good Shepherd Parish, Drums, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Freeland.

Reverend Michael J. Kloton, to Administrator, St. Patrick’s Parish, White Haven.  Father will remain Pastor, Good Shepherd Parish, Drums and Immaculate Conception Parish, Freeland.

Reverend Rawel Toppo, from Administrator, St. Patrick’s Parish, White Haven and Parochial Vicar, Good Shepherd Parish, Drums, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Freeland, to Administrator, St. Elizabeth’s Parish, Bear Creek, and St. Rita’s Parish, Gouldsboro.

Effective September 6, 2023: 

Reverend Richard E. Fox, to Pastor, St. Lucy’s Parish, Scranton.  Father will remain Pastor, St. Patrick’s Parish, Scranton.

Deacons:

Deacon John M. Hanley, from diaconal ministry, Archdiocese of New York, to diaconal ministry, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Milford, effective August 14, 2023.

Deacon Carmine Mendicino, from diaconal ministry, St. Lucy’s Parish and SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Scranton, to retirement, effective September 6, 2023. 

 

 

A pregnant woman is seen outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington in this 2016 file photo. On Aug. 8, 2023, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, objected to a proposed interpretation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to include accommodations for obtaining an abortion. (OSV News photo/Tyler Orsburn, CNS)

WASHINGTON – On Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released proposed regulations implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, responded with the following statement:

“We supported the bipartisan Pregnant Workers Fairness Act because it enhanced the protection of pregnant mothers and their preborn children, which is something that we have encouraged Congress to prioritize. The Act is pro-worker, pro-family, and pro-life. It is a total distortion to use this law as a means for advancing abortion, and the complete opposite of needed assistance for pregnant mothers.

“The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s proposed interpretation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to include accommodations for obtaining an abortion is wrong and contrary to the text, legislative history, and purpose of the Act, which is to help make it possible for working mothers to remain gainfully employed, if desired, while protecting their health and that of their preborn children. We are hopeful that the EEOC will be forced to abandon its untenable position when public comments submitted on this regulation demonstrate that its interpretation would be struck down in court.”

Editor Note: There is currently a 60-day period where the public can submit their public comments on this regulation. You can submit a comment at the following site: https://www.regulations.gov/document/EEOC-2023-0004-0001